CN112716354A

CN112716354A - Electric vacuum cleaner

Info

Publication number: CN112716354A
Application number: CN202010564010.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 槙岛光希; 柏原裕
Original assignee: Toshiba Lifestyle Products and Services Corp
Current assignee: Toshiba Lifestyle Products and Services Corp
Priority date: 2019-10-28
Filing date: 2020-06-19
Publication date: 2021-04-30
Anticipated expiration: 2040-06-19
Also published as: JP2021065630A; CN112716354B

Abstract

The invention provides an electric dust collector capable of improving convenience. The electric dust collector of the embodiment comprises: a motor, a secondary battery, an operation unit, a notification unit, and a control unit. The secondary battery supplies power to the motor. The operation unit accepts an operation by a user. The control unit does not accept an operation of driving the motor by the user with respect to the operation unit while charging the secondary battery, and causes the notification unit to perform: a prescribed report for indicating that the user's operation is not accepted.

Description

Electric vacuum cleaner

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an electric vacuum cleaner.

Background

An electric vacuum cleaner having a secondary battery is well known. The secondary battery of the electric vacuum cleaner is connected to an external power supply via, for example, a charging member, and is charged by being supplied with power from the external power supply. However, it is expected that the convenience of the electric vacuum cleaner can be further improved.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 4-193130

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention addresses the problem of providing an electric vacuum cleaner that can improve convenience.

The electric dust collector of the embodiment comprises: a motor, a secondary battery, an operation unit, a notification unit, and a control unit. The secondary battery supplies power to the motor. The operation unit accepts an operation by a user. The control unit does not accept an operation of driving the motor by the user with respect to the operation unit while charging the secondary battery, and causes the notification unit to perform: a prescribed report for indicating that the user's operation is not accepted.

According to the above configuration, the convenience can be improved by including the control unit that causes the notification unit to perform, while not accepting an operation of driving the motor performed by the user with respect to the operation unit during charging of the secondary battery: and a prescribed report for indicating that the operation of driving the motor by the user is not accepted.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an electric vacuum cleaner according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a state of the electric vacuum cleaner according to embodiment 1 when being charged.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the grip portion, the operation portion, and the notification portion according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration related to the circuit board according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the circuit board according to embodiment 1 during charging.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration related to a notification unit according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing a control flow at the time of charging according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a vacuum cleaner and a charging stand according to modification 1 of embodiment 1.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged plan view of a grasping portion, an operation portion, and a notification portion in modification 2 of embodiment 1.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged plan view of the grip portion, the operation portion, and the notification portion according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged plan view of a grasping portion, an operation portion, and a notification portion in modification 1 of embodiment 2.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged plan view of a grasping portion, an operation portion, and a notification portion in modification 2 of embodiment 2.

Description of reference numerals:

10 … electric vacuum cleaner; 112 … a grip portion; 113 … an operation part; 114 … report part; 116a … motor; 117a … secondary battery; 20 … AC adapter (charging member); 20a … charging stand (charging member); 221 … window part 1; 222 … window section 2; 231, 231 …, lamp 1; 232 … light 2; 244 … control section; 261 … display device; 261a … displays a screen.

Detailed Description

The following describes an electric vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the same or similar components. Moreover, redundant description may be omitted. In the present specification, the term "based on XX" means "based on at least XX", and includes cases where the term is based on other elements in addition to "XX". In addition, the "XX-based" is not limited to: the case of using XX directly also includes: based on the results of the calculation or processing performed for XX. "XX" is an arbitrary element (e.g., arbitrary information). In this specification, front-back, left-right, and up-down are defined with reference to a user who uses the electric vacuum cleaner. In the present specification, the term "light emission" also includes: lighting and blinking.

(embodiment 1)

Embodiment 1 is explained with reference to fig. 1 to 7. Embodiment 1 is an example as follows: when a user operates the electric vacuum cleaner during charging or the like, a predetermined report is given to the user without receiving the operation.

< 1. integral constitution >

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an electric vacuum cleaner 10 according to embodiment 1. The electric vacuum cleaner 10 is, for example: a so-called stick (stick) type electric vacuum cleaner is a cordless type electric vacuum cleaner having a secondary battery unit built therein. However, the electric vacuum cleaner 10 is not limited to the above example, and may be a pulley type electric vacuum cleaner having a cleaner body including wheels, or another type of electric vacuum cleaner.

The electric vacuum cleaner 10 includes, for example: a cleaner main body 110, an extension pipe 120, and a suction port body (floor brush) 130. The cleaner main body 110 includes, for example: a main body case 111, a grip 112, an operation unit 113, a notification unit 114, a dust suction device 115, an electric blower 116, a secondary battery unit 117, an external connection terminal 118, and a circuit board 119.

The main body case 111 forms the outline of the cleaner main body 110. The main body casing 111 houses an electric blower 116, a secondary battery unit 117, and a circuit board 119.

The grip 112 is a portion that is gripped by a user when cleaning a floor surface (a surface to be cleaned) using the electric vacuum cleaner 10. According to the present embodiment, the grip portion 112 is connected to the upper surface of the main body case 111 and is provided integrally with the main body case 111. For example, the grip portion 112 is formed as: a circular arc shape protruding in a direction away from the main body casing 111. However, the grip portion 112 is not limited to a specific shape.

The operation unit 113 receives: the user performs operations related to the operation of the electric vacuum cleaner 10. For example, the operation unit 113 receives: an operation of the user operating the electric vacuum cleaner 10, an operation of the user terminating the operation of the electric vacuum cleaner 10, or the like. The operation unit 113 is disposed in a region adjacent to the grip 112. According to the present embodiment, the operation unit 113 is disposed on the front side of the grip 112 (the side opposite to the user who uses the electric vacuum cleaner 10). When the operation unit 113 is disposed in a region adjacent to the grip unit 112, the user can operate the operation unit 113 with the thumb while supporting the grip unit 112 with 4 fingers other than the thumb, for example. The operation unit 113 will be described in detail later.

The reporting unit 114 reports various states of the electric vacuum cleaner 10 to a user. The notification unit 114 is disposed on the opposite side of the grip unit 112 with respect to the operation unit 113. The report unit 114 will be described in detail later.

The dust suction device 115 is detachably attached to the main body casing 111. The dust collector 115 is a device for separating dust, and the dust is: dust contained in the air sucked into the cleaner body 110 by the operation of the electric blower 116 described later. The dust suction device 115 may be: the centrifugal separation type dust collector for separating dust by centrifugal separation may be a filter type dust collector including a paper bag.

The electric blower 116 includes: a motor 116a called a fan motor or a main motor, and an impeller rotated by the motor 116a, and is driven to generate a negative pressure. The electric blower 116 sucks air containing dust from a suction port 131a of a suction port body 130 described later into the dust suction device 115 by the generated negative pressure, and discharges the air from which the dust is separated by the dust suction device 115 to the outside of the electric vacuum cleaner 10. The motor 116a of the electric blower 116 is, for example, a dc motor, but is not limited thereto. In the present specification, the terms "drive the electric blower 116" and "operate the electric vacuum cleaner 10" are: "drive the motor 116a of the electric blower 116".

The secondary battery unit 117 supplies electric power necessary for operating the electric vacuum cleaner 10 to the electric vacuum cleaner 10. For example, the secondary battery unit 117 supplies electric power to the electric blower 116, the brush motor 134, the circuit board 119, and the like. The secondary battery cell 117 includes, for example: a not-shown outline case, a secondary battery 117a (see fig. 4), and a secondary battery control unit 117b (see fig. 4). The secondary battery 117a is a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery, for example, and can store electric power. The secondary battery control unit 117b controls charging and discharging of the secondary battery 117a based on a control command from a control unit 244 described later.

The external connection terminal 118 is electrically connected to the secondary battery 117 a. When the secondary battery 117a is charged, the external connection terminal 118 is connected to a charging member outside the electric vacuum cleaner 10. The external connection terminal 118 will be described in detail later.

The circuit board 119 includes: a printed wiring board provided with a wiring pattern, and a plurality of electronic components mounted on the printed wiring board. The circuit board 119 realizes: for example, a control unit 244 (see fig. 4) that controls the operation of the electric vacuum cleaner 10. The circuit board 119 will be described in detail later.

Next, the extension pipe 120 will be described. The extension tube 120 is formed in an elongated shape, for example, and has a 1 st end 121 and a 2 nd end 122. The 1 st end 121 of the extension pipe 120 is airtightly coupled to the cleaner body 110. The No. 2 end 122 of the extension pipe 120 is airtightly connected to the suction port body 130. Inside the extension pipe 120, there are provided: and a connection wire for electrically connecting the cleaner main body 110 and the suction port body 130.

Next, the suction port body 130 will be described. The suction port body 130 is: a part moving along the floor surface. The suction port body 130 includes, for example: a suction inlet body casing 131, a connection pipe 132, a rotary brush 133, and a brush motor 134.

The suction port body casing 131 is formed with: a laterally long shape, that is, a shape long in the left-right direction. The suction port body housing 131 houses a brush motor 134. Suction port body casing 131 has suction port 131a at a lower portion facing the floor surface. The suction port 131a is: an opening portion through which dust on the floor surface can be sucked by driving the electric blower 116.

The connection pipe 132 is: the portion connecting the suction port body casing 131 and the 2 nd end 122 of the extension pipe 120 in an airtight manner is rotatably connected to the suction port body casing 131. The suction port body housing 131 and the extension pipe 120 are connected by the connection pipe 132 to form: an air passage extending from the suction port 131a of the suction port body housing 131 to the cleaner body 110 through the extension pipe 120.

The rotary brush 133 is provided along the floor surface and is disposed in the suction port 131 a. The rotary brush 133 is provided rotatably with respect to the suction port body casing 131. The rotating brush 133 performs: the dust is floated from the floor surface, or the hair end of a carpet or the like is raised.

The brush motor 134 is mechanically connected to the rotary brush 133 via a rotation driving mechanism (not shown) and drives (rotates) the rotary brush 133. The brush motor 134 is, for example, a dc motor, but is not limited thereto.

< 2. Structure of each part of electric cleaner >

< 2.1 external connection terminal >

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a state of the electric vacuum cleaner 10 during charging. According to the present embodiment, the external connection terminal 118 is provided at the rear end of the main body case 111, and is exposed to the outside of the electric vacuum cleaner 10 through an opening formed in the main body case 111. When the secondary battery 117a is charged, the external connection terminal 118 is connected with: the AC adapter 20 is an example of an external charging component.

The AC adapter 20 includes, for example: an adapter main body 21, a cord 22, and a plug 23. The adapter main body 21 includes: a socket plug connected to the socket C, and a power conversion unit for converting ac power supplied from an external power supply PS (e.g., a commercial power supply) into desired dc power. The cord 22 is used to connect the adaptor body 21 with the plug 23. The plug 23 is: and a terminal detachably connected to the external connection terminal 118 of the electric vacuum cleaner 10. The external connection terminal 118 is connected to the plug 23 of the AC adapter 20 when the secondary battery 117a is charged, and is supplied with power from the external power supply PS through the AC adapter 20.

< 2.2 operating part >

Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the grip portion 112, the operation portion 113, and the notification portion 114. The operation unit 113 includes: and 1 or more (for example, a plurality of) operation keys 210 that are operated by the user. According to the present embodiment, the operation unit 113 includes: a 1 st operation button 210a for switching the strength of the suction force of the electric vacuum cleaner 10, a 2 nd operation button 210b for operating the electric vacuum cleaner 10 in a predetermined operation mode, and a 3 rd operation button 210c for terminating the operation of the electric vacuum cleaner 10. The 3

operation buttons

210a, 210b, and 210c are arranged in parallel in the front-rear direction of the electric vacuum cleaner 10. However, the number and arrangement of the operation keys 210 are not limited to the above examples. According to the present embodiment, when the 1 st operation button 210a or the 2 nd operation button 210b is operated while the electric vacuum cleaner 10 is stopped, the electric vacuum cleaner 10 operates. The operation performed on the 1 st operation key 210a or the 2 nd operation key 210b is: an example of "operation of driving the motor by the user with respect to the operation unit" is described.

< 2.3. report department >

The reporting unit 114 is disposed near the operation unit 113. The reporting unit 114 includes, for example: the 1 st window part 221, the 2 nd window part 222, the 1 st lamp 231, the 2 nd lamp 232, and the 3 rd lamp 233.

The 1 st window 221 is located closest to the operation unit 113 among the plurality of

windows

221 and 222. For example, the 1 st window portion 221 is located at a position between the operation portion 113 and the 2 nd window portion 222. The 1 st window 221 and the 2 nd window 222 are arranged in 1 row on a straight line from the operation unit 113 to the notification unit 114. The 1 st window portion 221 and the 2 nd window portion 222 are formed of transparent or translucent members, respectively, and have translucency.

The 1 st lamp 231 is a lamp that emits light when the secondary battery 117a is charged. For example, the 1 st lamp 231 is turned on in orange (orange) during charging of the secondary battery 117a, thereby reporting to the user that the secondary battery 117a is being charged. In addition, the 1 st lamp 231 is configured to blink orange when the remaining amount of the secondary battery 117a is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value in the case of using the electric vacuum cleaner 10. Accordingly, the 1 st lamp 231 reports to the user that the remaining operable time is short. Orange is an example of a dangerous color (warning color). In the present specification, the term "dangerous color" means: colors in the range of yellow to pink centered on red in the hue ring.

The 2 nd lamp 232 is, for example: a lamp that emits light during operation of the electric vacuum cleaner 10. For example, the 2 nd lamp 232 is turned on in green (or blue) during operation of the electric vacuum cleaner 10, thereby reporting to the user that the operation of the electric vacuum cleaner 10 is normal. Hereinafter, the color including green and blue is collectively referred to as "green".

According to the present embodiment, when the user operates the operation unit 113 to operate the electric vacuum cleaner 10 while charging the secondary battery 117a, the 2 nd lamp 232 emits light as a predetermined report indicating that the user operation is not accepted. For example, when the user operates the operation unit 113 to operate the electric vacuum cleaner 10 while charging the secondary battery 117a, the 2 nd lamp 232 blinks in green. The report function will be described in detail later. Green is an example of a color different from the dangerous color. The 2 nd lamp 232 may be a dedicated lamp provided for the purpose of the above-described predetermined report.

According to the present embodiment, the 1 st lamp 231 and the 2 nd lamp 232 share 1 identical window 221 (the 1 st window 221). That is, the 1 st lamp 231 and the 2 nd lamp 232 are disposed to correspond to the 1 st window portion 221. Both the 1 st lamp 231 and the 2 nd lamp 232 irradiate light to the outside of the electric vacuum cleaner 10 through the 1 st window 221.

The 3 rd lamp 233 is a so-called dust sensor lamp that emits orange light when the amount of dust collected in the cleaner body 110 during operation of the electric vacuum cleaner 10 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value. Accordingly, the 3 rd lamp 233 reports to the user that the trash has been effectively attracted. The 3 rd lamp 233 is disposed to correspond to the 2 nd window part 222. The 3 rd lamp 233 irradiates light to the outside of the electric vacuum cleaner 10 through the 2 nd window portion 222. The 2 nd window portion 222 and the 3 rd lamp 233 may be omitted.

In other words, the 2 nd lamp 232 is disposed: is positioned closer to the operation portion 113 than the 3 rd lamp 233. Since the 3 rd lamp 233 emits light in orange, which is an example of a dangerous color, it is easily noticed by the user even if it is separated from the operation unit 113 to some extent. On the other hand, since the 2 nd lamp 232 emits light in green, it is difficult to notice it as compared with the case of emitting light in a dangerous color. Thus, according to the present embodiment, the 2 nd lamp 232 is disposed: a position closer to the operation portion 113 than the 3 rd lamp 233 (i.e., closer to the user's hand side). With such a configuration, even when the 2 nd lamp 232 emits green light, the user can easily notice the emission of the 2 nd lamp 232.

< 2.4 Circuit Board

Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing a structure of the circuit board 119. The circuit board 119 includes, for example: a 1 st switching unit 241, a 2 nd switching unit 242, a state detecting unit 243, and a control unit 244.

The 1 st switching unit 241 is provided between the secondary battery 117a and the electric blower 116. The 1 st switching means 241 is ON/OFF controlled at a predetermined cycle in accordance with pwm (pulse Width modulation) control by the control unit 244, whereby pulse-shaped input power is supplied from the secondary battery 117a to the electric blower 116.

The 2 nd switching unit 242 is disposed between the secondary battery 117a and the brushed motor 134. Pulse-shaped input power is supplied from secondary battery 117a to brushed motor 134 by ON/OFF controlling 2 nd switching means 242 at a predetermined cycle in accordance with PWM control by control unit 244.

The state detector 243 detects: the external connection terminal 118 is connected to a charging component (for example, the AC adapter 20). According to the present embodiment, the electric vacuum cleaner 10 includes: a contact sensor 245 whose state changes when the AC adapter 20 is connected to the external connection terminal 118. The state detection unit 243 detects whether or not the AC adapter 20 is connected to the external connection terminal 118 based on the output of the contact sensor 245. The detection result of the state detector 243 is output to the controller 244.

The control unit 244 collectively controls the entire electric vacuum cleaner 10. The state detection unit 243 and the control unit 244 are realized by a hardware processor such as a cpu (central Processing unit) executing a program. However, some or all of the state detecting unit 243 and the control unit 244 may be realized by hardware such as asic (application Specific Integrated circuit), pld (Programmable Logic device), fpga (field Programmable Gate array), or the like, or may be realized by cooperation of software and hardware. According to the present embodiment, the control unit 244 includes, for example: an electric blower control unit 244a, a brush motor control unit 244b, a charge/discharge control unit 244c, and a notification control unit 244 d.

The electric blower control unit 244a controls the 1 st switching unit 241 to be ON/OFF based ON, for example, a user operation received by the operation unit 113. Accordingly, the electric blower control unit 244a drives the electric blower 116 at a desired rotation number.

The brushed motor control unit 244b performs ON/OFF control of the 2 nd switching unit 242 based ON, for example, a user operation received by the operation unit 113. Accordingly, the electric blower control unit 244b drives the brush motor 134 at a desired number of revolutions.

The charge/discharge control unit 244c controls the charge and discharge of the secondary battery 117a by transmitting a control command to the secondary battery control unit 117b of the secondary battery unit 117. For example, when the operation unit 113 receives an operation of, for example, operating the electric vacuum cleaner 10 by a user, the charge/discharge control unit 244c discharges the secondary battery 117 a. On the other hand, when the connection between the AC adapter 20 and the external connection terminal 118 is detected by the state detection unit 243, the charge/discharge control unit 244c charges the secondary battery 117a by supplying power from the external power supply PS.

The report controller 244d controls the report unit 114 according to the state of the electric vacuum cleaner 10, thereby reporting various states of the electric vacuum cleaner 10 to the user. For example, when it is detected that the secondary battery 117a is being charged, the notification control unit 244d turns on the 1 st lamp 231 with orange color. In addition, when the remaining amount of the secondary battery 117a is small in the case of using the electric vacuum cleaner 10, the notification control unit 244d blinks the 1 st lamp 231 orange. Further, a current detection unit, not shown, electrically connected to the secondary battery 117a determines, based on the detection result of the voltage detection unit: the secondary battery 117a is being charged or the remaining amount of the secondary battery 117 a. Further, the notification control unit 244d turns on the 2 nd lamp 232 in green during the operation of the electric vacuum cleaner 10.

According to the present embodiment, when the user operates the operation unit 113 to operate the electric vacuum cleaner 10 during charging of the secondary battery 117a, the control unit 244 causes the notification unit 114 to perform a predetermined notification without receiving the user's operation. The regulation report means: and a report for notifying the user of the fact that the user's operation is not accepted. Hereinafter, in the present specification, the "predetermined report" means: and a report means for notifying the user of the fact that the user is not performing the operation.

Further, according to the present embodiment, even when the user operates the electric vacuum cleaner 10 while the secondary battery 117a is not being charged but the AC adapter 20 is connected to the external connection terminal 118, the control unit 244 causes the notification unit 114 to perform the predetermined notification without receiving the user's operation. This is because the following is the case: a case where the plug 23 of the AC adapter 20 is connected to the external connection terminal 118, but the AC adapter 20 is not connected to the socket C; or, in the case where secondary battery 117a is fully charged, although plug 23 of AC adapter 20 is connected to external connection terminal 118 and AC adapter 20 is connected to socket C.

In place of the above, the control unit 244 may receive the operation of the user to operate the electric vacuum cleaner 10 without performing the predetermined report even when the AC adapter 20 is connected to the external connection terminal 118 after the secondary battery 117a is fully charged (or after charging is not performed). In other words, control unit 244 may determine whether or not AC adapter 20 (or another charging member) is connected to external connection terminal 118, based on whether or not secondary battery 117a is being charged: whether or not to accept an operation of operating the electric vacuum cleaner 10 by the user and whether or not to perform the predetermined report.

According to the present embodiment, the notification control unit 244d causes the 2 nd lamp 232 to blink in green as the predetermined notification. For example, when the predetermined notification is given while the secondary battery 117a is being charged, the notification control unit 244d turns off the 1 st lamp 231 that is being turned on in orange and blinks the 2 nd lamp 232 in green.

Here, according to the present embodiment, when the user performs a nullifying operation on the operation unit 113 while using the electric vacuum cleaner 10, the notification control unit 244d blinks the 2 nd lamp 232 in green, thereby notifying the user that an error related to the key operation has occurred. The "user performs an invalid operation" means: for example, the 3 rd operation button 210c (i.e., a button for turning off the power supply) is operated in a state where the operation of the electric vacuum cleaner 10 is stopped, or the operation button 210 is operated in a state where the operation mode enters a special operation mode in which the button operation is prohibited.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the notification control unit 244d causes the 2 nd lamp 232 to blink as the predetermined notification in the same blinking manner as when the 2 nd lamp 232 is blinking or when an error related to a key operation occurs. The "same scintillation pattern" means: for example, the cycle of the blinking, the color, and the amount of light emitted are the same.

Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the circuit board 119 during charging of the secondary battery 117 a. When charging secondary battery 117a, power is supplied from external power supply PS via AC adapter 20 to circuit board 119 and reporting unit 114. Thus, control unit 244 can make the predetermined report even while secondary battery 117a is being charged. In fig. 5, the following are omitted: a voltage regulator circuit and the like provided between the AC adapter 20 and the circuit board 119 are illustrated in the electric vacuum cleaner 10.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration related to the report unit 114. According to the present embodiment, the report section 114 includes 1 circuit board 250. The circuit board 250 has mounted thereon: 1 st, 2 nd and 3

rd lamps

231, 232 and 233; and 1 st, 2 nd, 3

rd switching elements

251, 252, 253. The 1 st, 2 nd, and 3

rd switching elements

251, 252, and 253 control ON/OFF of the 1 st, 2 nd, and 3

rd lamps

231, 232, and 233, respectively. The 1 st, 2 nd, and 3

rd switching elements

251, 252, and 253 are transistors, for example. The control unit 244 sends control signals to the 1 st, 2 nd, and 3

rd switching elements

251, 252, and 253 to turn on, blink, or turn off the 1 st, 2 nd, and 3

rd lamps

231, 232, and 233, respectively.

The power lines L1, L2, and L3 connected to the 1 st, 2 nd, and 3

rd switching elements

251, 252, and 253, respectively, are electrically connected to the AC adapter 20 via a common power line L provided on the circuit board 250. That is, a path for supplying power to the 1 st lamp 231 and a path for supplying power to the 2 nd lamp 232 are partially shared. With this configuration, even when the 2 nd lamp 232 is provided, the manufacturing cost of the electric vacuum cleaner 10 can be reduced.

< 3. control flow >

Next, a control flow related to the charging of the secondary battery 117a will be described.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing a control flow when charging the secondary battery 117 a. Based on the detection result of the state detector 243, the controller 244 determines: whether or not the AC adapter 20 is connected to the external connection terminal 118 (S101). If the AC adapter 20 is not connected to the external connection terminal 118 (S101: NO), the process of this flow ends. In this case, when the user operates the operation unit 113, the operation unit 113 accepts: the user operates the operation unit 113. The control unit 244 operates the electric vacuum cleaner 10 based on the operation of the operation unit 113 by the user.

On the other hand, when the AC adapter 20 is connected to the external connection terminal 118 (S101: YES), the control unit 244 determines that: whether or not power is supplied from the external power supply PS (S102). This determination is made based on, for example, the detection result of a voltage detection unit or a current detection unit provided for the power line connecting the external connection terminal 118 and the secondary battery 117 a.

When power is supplied from external power supply PS (YES in S102), control unit 244 charges secondary battery 117a with the power (S103). Further, control unit 244 notifies the user that secondary battery 117a is being charged by lighting lamp 1, 231 while secondary battery 117a is being charged (S104). Then, the process proceeds to S105. On the other hand, if power is not supplied from the external power supply PS (S102: NO), that is, if the plug 23 of the AC adapter 20 is connected to the external connection terminal 118 of the electric vacuum cleaner 10 but the AC adapter 20 is not connected to the outlet C or the like, the process proceeds to S105.

Next, the control unit 244 determines: whether or not the user has operated the 1 st operation key 210a or the 2 nd operation key 210b, that is, whether or not the user has operated the operation unit 113 to operate the electric vacuum cleaner 10 (S105). When the user operates the operation unit 113 to operate the electric vacuum cleaner 10 (YES in S105), the control unit 244 does not accept the user' S operation (S106). Then, the control unit 244 causes the reporting unit 114 to perform: a prescribed report indicating that the user's operation is not accepted.

Specifically, the control unit 244 turns off the 1 st lamp 231, which is turned on in orange to indicate that the secondary battery 117a is being charged, for a predetermined time (for example, several seconds) (S107), and instead, turns on the 2 nd lamp 232 in green for a predetermined time (for example, several seconds) (S108). Accordingly, the user is notified of the fact that the user is not performing the operation and the fact that the electric vacuum cleaner 10 is not operating but has not failed. When the predetermined time elapses, the controller 244 turns off the 2 nd lamp 232 and turns on the 1 st lamp 231 again in orange. Then, the process proceeds to S109. On the other hand, if the user does not operate the operation unit 113 to operate the electric vacuum cleaner 10 (S105: NO), the process proceeds to S109.

Next, the control unit 244 determines: whether or not the secondary battery 117a is fully charged (S109). When the secondary battery 117a is not fully charged (NO in S109), the processes from S101 to S109 are repeated until the process returns to S101. On the other hand, when secondary battery 117a is fully charged (YES in S109), control unit 244 determines, as in S101: whether or not the AC adapter 20 is connected to the external connection terminal 118 (S110).

When the AC adapter 20 is connected to the external connection terminal 118 (S110: YES), the processes from S105 to S110 are repeated until the process returns to S105. On the other hand, if the AC adapter 20 is not connected to the external connection terminal 118 (S110: NO), the process of this flow is ended.

< 4. advantage >

As comparative examples, consider: an electric vacuum cleaner not having the function of performing the above-mentioned regulation report. The electric vacuum cleaner of the comparative example is configured as follows: in order to prevent a user from operating the electric vacuum cleaner by mistake during charging of the secondary battery, the electric vacuum cleaner is not operated even when the user touches an operation button. In this case, the electric vacuum cleaner does not show any reaction even if the user operates the operation unit during charging of the secondary battery, and therefore, the user may erroneously recognize that the electric vacuum cleaner has failed. In addition, when the service center is notified of the state in which the electric vacuum cleaner is not operating by a telephone, it is sometimes difficult to report an accurate state because the electric vacuum cleaner cannot perform a characteristic operation.

On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, the control unit 244 causes the notification unit 114 to perform, while charging the secondary battery 117a, not the operation of the user to operate the electric vacuum cleaner 10 with respect to the operation unit 113, but also: a predetermined report indicating that the operation of operating the electric vacuum cleaner 10 by the user is not accepted. With such a configuration, the user can know, from the report by the report unit 114: the electric vacuum cleaner 10 is not malfunctioning. In addition, when the state of the electric vacuum cleaner 10 is notified to the service center by the telephone, the accurate state of the electric vacuum cleaner 10 can be notified. Accordingly, the convenience of the user can be improved.

According to the present embodiment, the electric vacuum cleaner 10 is configured such that: even if secondary battery 117a is not being charged, controller 244 causes reporting unit 114 to perform the predetermined report in a state where AC adapter 20 is connected to external connection terminal 118. According to such a configuration, for example, although the AC adapter 20 is connected to the external connection terminal 118, it is possible to notify the user that the operation of the operation unit 113 by the user is not accepted even when the AC adapter 20 is not connected to the outlet C or when the secondary battery 117a is fully charged.

According to the present embodiment, the control unit 244 turns on or blinks the 2 nd lamp 232 as the predetermined report. With such a configuration, it is possible to report a user as needed with a simple configuration.

According to the present embodiment, the operation unit 113 is disposed in a region adjacent to the grip unit 112. The 2 nd lamp 232 is disposed: is located on the opposite side of the operation portion 113 from the holding portion 112. With this configuration, even when the user operates the operation unit 113, the reporting unit 114 is less likely to be blocked by the hand of the user. This makes it easier for the user to notice the report from the report section 114, compared with a case where the report section 114 is located relatively far from the operation section 113 or a case where the report section 114 is located at a position where the user can block the report section 114 with his hand.

According to the present embodiment, the lighting or blinking of the 2 nd lamp 232 as the predetermined report is the same as the lighting or blinking of the 2 nd lamp 232 when the following situation is reported, that is: when the user performs an invalid operation on the operation unit 113 while using the electric vacuum cleaner 10, a report is made that the operation is an error. According to such a configuration, since the errors of the key operation relationship are unified, it is easy for the user to understand that: this is not an error in the charging relationship by the user but an error in the key operation relationship.

Here, when the 2 nd lamp 232 is turned on or blinks in a dangerous color such as red or yellow, the user who has received the predetermined report easily has an illusion that: whether a malfunction or a significant malfunction has occurred. In addition, when a dangerous color light is emitted for an operation performed by the user himself, the user is liable to be particularly uneasy.

On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, the 2 nd lamp 232 is lit or blinked in a color different from the dangerous color. With such a configuration, when the predetermined report is made, it is difficult for the user to generate: the electric vacuum cleaner 10 can be comfortably used with the illusion that a malfunction or a major error has occurred.

According to the present embodiment, the report unit 114 includes: a 1 st lamp 231 that emits light during charging of the secondary battery 117a, and a 2 nd lamp 232 that emits light when the predetermined report is made. When the predetermined report is issued while the secondary battery 117a is being charged, the control unit 244 turns off the 1 st lamp 231 that is emitting light and turns on the 2 nd lamp 232 that is emitting light. With this configuration, the 1 st lamp 231, which is difficult to distinguish when it emits light, is turned off, so that the light emission of the 2 nd lamp 232 can be emphasized. Accordingly, the user can easily receive the above-mentioned regulation report.

According to the present embodiment, the report unit 114 includes a window unit 221. Both the 1 st lamp 231 and the 2 nd lamp 232 irradiate light to the outside of the electric vacuum cleaner 10 through the 1 window 221. With such a configuration, the window 221 is shared, so that the manufacturing cost of the electric vacuum cleaner 10 can be reduced. In addition, by reducing the number of light-emitting portions of the lamp, it is sufficient that only a few portions are confirmed when the user confirms the lamp, and therefore, it is easier for the user to clearly understand.

Next, several modifications of embodiment 1 will be described. In each modification, configurations other than those described below are the same as those of embodiment 1.

(1 st modification of embodiment 1)

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the electric vacuum cleaner 10 and the charging stand 20A according to modification 1 of embodiment 1. In the present modification, the electric vacuum cleaner 10 is installed in the charging stand 20A instead of the AC adapter 20. The electric vacuum cleaner 10 includes: and an external connection terminal 118 connected to the connection terminal 25 of the charging stand 20A when the electric vacuum cleaner 10 is installed in the charging stand 20A. Charging stand 20A is an example of "external charging means".

Charging stand 20A has: a receiving part 26 for supporting the electric vacuum cleaner 10. The receiving portion 26 includes, for example: a 1 st socket 26a for supporting the suction port body 130 of the electric vacuum cleaner 10 from below, and a 2 nd socket 26b for supporting the electric vacuum cleaner 10 from behind. However, the shape of the charging stand 20A is not limited to the above example. The charging cradle 20A may be: this type of charging stand of the electric vacuum cleaner 10 is provided by hanging or hanging the electric vacuum cleaner 10 on a wall.

In the present modification, the notification unit 114 is disposed: in a state where the electric vacuum cleaner 10 is installed on the charging stand 20A, the electric vacuum cleaner is not located opposite to the charging stand 20A. For example, in a state where the electric vacuum cleaner 10 is mounted on the charging stand 20A, the notification unit 114 faces the side opposite to the charging stand 20A. When the user operates the operation unit 113 to operate the electric vacuum cleaner 10 while the electric vacuum cleaner 10 is mounted on the charging stand 20A, the control unit 244 causes the notification unit 114 to perform the predetermined notification without receiving the user's operation. With this configuration, even in a state where the electric vacuum cleaner 10 is installed in the charging stand 20A, the user can easily receive the predetermined report. In the description of embodiment 1, the "AC adapter 20" may be replaced with the "charging stand 20A", and the "plug 23" may be replaced with the "connection terminal 25".

(modification 2 of embodiment 1)

Fig. 9 is an enlarged plan view of the grasping portion 112, the operation portion 113, and the notification portion 114 according to modification 2 of embodiment 1. In the present modification, the report unit 114 includes: a 1 st window part 221, a 2 nd window part 222, a 1 st lamp 231, and a 2 nd lamp 232.

In the present modification, the 2 nd window portion 222 is located closest to the operation portion 113 among the plurality of

window portions

221 and 222. For example, the 2 nd window portion 222 is located: the position between the operation portion 113 and the 1 st window portion 221. The 1 st lamp 231 is disposed to correspond to the 1 st window 221, and irradiates light to the outside of the electric vacuum cleaner 10 through the 1 st window 221. The 2 nd lamp 232 is disposed to correspond to the 2 nd window portion 222, and irradiates light to the outside of the electric vacuum cleaner 10 through the 2 nd window portion 222. With this configuration, since the 2 nd lamp 232 is located at a position close to the operation unit 113, the user can easily notice the predetermined report.

(embodiment 2)

Next, embodiment 2 will be explained. Embodiment 2 is different from embodiment 1 in that the notification unit 114 has a structure other than a lamp. The configuration other than the configuration described below is the same as that of embodiment 1.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged plan view of the grip portion 112, the operation portion 113, and the notification portion 114 according to embodiment 2. According to the present embodiment, the report unit 114 includes: a display device 261 including a display screen 261 a. The display device 261 is, for example, a liquid crystal display panel or an organic el (electro luminescence) display panel, but is not limited thereto.

According to the present embodiment, the control unit 244 causes the display screen 261a to display a text, an illustration, or the like indicating that the user operation is not accepted, as the predetermined report. For example, the control unit 244 displays a character such as "inoperable" or an illustration indicating "inoperable" (e.g., an illustration similar to a no-pass illustration of a traffic sign) on the display screen 261 a.

With such a configuration, as in embodiment 1, it is possible to notify the user of a predetermined report indicating that the user is not to be operated.

In addition, the report unit 114 may include, instead of the display device 261 or in addition to the display device 261: a speaker capable of outputting sound (e.g., voice), a vibrator capable of outputting vibration, and the like. That is, the reporting unit 114 may perform the predetermined report by sound or vibration.

Next, several modifications of embodiment 2 will be described. In each modification, configurations other than those described below are the same as those of embodiment 1.

(1 st modification of embodiment 2)

Fig. 11 is an enlarged plan view of the grasping portion 112, the operation portion 113, and the notification portion 114 according to modification 1 of embodiment 2. In modification 1, the notification unit 114 is provided integrally with the operation unit 113. For example, the operation unit 113 includes: a display device 261 including a display screen 261 a; and a touch input type input device 262 (for example, a capacitive touch sensor) provided so as to overlap with the display device 261. When the electric vacuum cleaner 10 is normally used, the control unit 244 causes the display screen 261a to display: and a mark M1 indicating the 1 st, 2 nd and 3

rd operation keys

210a, 210b and 210 c. The user can perform an input corresponding to each operation key 210 by pressing the area corresponding to the 1 st, 2 nd, and 3

rd operation keys

210a, 210b, and 210c on the display screen 261 a.

In modification 1, the control unit 244 changes the indication of the display screen 261a as the predetermined report. For example, when the electric vacuum cleaner 10 is used, the control unit 244 causes the indicator M1 indicating the 1 st mode of the operation button 210 to be displayed on the display screen 261a of the display device 261. On the other hand, when the predetermined report is made, the control unit 244 displays the indicator M2 of the 2 nd form on the display screen 261a of the display device 261. The identifier M2 of form 2 includes: characters and illustrations indicating that the user is not to be operated. For example, the identifier M2 of modality 2 includes: a word such as "inoperable" or an illustration indicating "inoperable" (e.g., an illustration similar to a no-entry of a traffic sign). A mark (characters, illustrations, and the like) indicating "inoperable" is displayed in the area where the operation keys 210 are displayed on the display screen 261 a.

In the present modification, the control unit 244 displays the indicator M2 of the 2 nd embodiment regardless of whether or not the user operates the operation unit 113, such as when the secondary battery 117a is being charged, or when a charging member (the AC adapter 20 or the charging stand 20A) is connected to the external connection terminal 118 even if the secondary battery 117a is not being charged. Further, the control unit 244 continues to perform the mark M2 of the 2 nd embodiment while the secondary battery 117a is being charged or while the charging member is connected to the external connection terminal 118. In addition, as in embodiment 1, the control unit 244 may cause the indicator M2 of embodiment 2 to be displayed on the display screen 261a only when the user actually operates the operation unit 113 to operate the electric vacuum cleaner 10.

(modification 2 of embodiment 2)

Fig. 12 is an enlarged plan view of the grasping portion 112, the operation portion 113, and the notification portion 114 according to modification 2. In modification 2, the operation unit 113 changes the indication of the display screen 261a so as to hide the

operation keys

210a, 210b, and 210c, and sets the changed indication as the predetermined report.

For example, when the electric vacuum cleaner 10 is used, the control unit 244 causes the indicator M1 indicating the 1 st mode of the operation button 210 to be displayed on the display screen 261a of the display device 261. On the other hand, when the predetermined report is made, the control unit 244 displays the indicator M3 of the 2 nd form on the display screen 261a of the display device 261. The marker M3 of form 2 is: the operation key 210 is hidden from the mark M1 of the 1 st embodiment. The phrase "the operation keys are hidden from the mark M1 of the 1 st embodiment" means that: the display screen 261a is not limited to a case where the entire display screen is a predetermined color (for example, black or gray) or an illustration, and the operation key 210 is not visible at all (the operation key 210 disappears), but also includes a case where the operation key 210 is hardly visible because the color of the mark of the operation key 210 is thinned, a pattern or illustration is different from the mark of the operation key 210, and a background of the same color as or similar to the color of the operation key 210 is displayed in a superimposed manner.

In the present modification, when the secondary battery 117a is being charged, or when the charging member (the AC adapter 20 or the charging stand 20A) is connected to the external connection terminal 118 even if the secondary battery 117a is not being charged, the control unit 244 displays the indicator M3 of the 2 nd embodiment regardless of whether or not the user operates the operation unit 113. Further, the control unit 244 continues to perform the mark M3 of the 2 nd embodiment while the secondary battery 117a is being charged or while the charging member is connected to the external connection terminal 118. In addition, as in embodiment 1, the control unit 244 may cause the indicator M3 of embodiment 2 to be displayed on the display screen 261a only when the user actually operates the operation unit 113 to operate the electric vacuum cleaner 10.

Although the embodiments and the modifications have been described above, the embodiments are not limited to the above examples. For example, when the charging component is connected to the external connection terminal 118, the control unit 244 may receive the operation of the user to operate the electric vacuum cleaner 10 on the operation unit 113 without performing the predetermined report as long as the charging component is not connected to the outlet. Thus, in the above-described embodiment and modification, "the case where the charging member is connected to the external connection terminal 118" can be interpreted as: "is a case where the charging component is connected to the external connection terminal 118 and the charging component is not connected to the external power supply PS".

In the above description, a part described as "lighting" may be interpreted as "blinking", and conversely, a part described as "blinking" may be interpreted as "lighting".

According to at least 1 embodiment described above, convenience can be improved by including the control unit that causes the notification unit to perform, without accepting an operation of driving the motor performed by the user with respect to the operation unit during charging of the secondary battery: and a prescribed report for indicating that the operation of driving the motor by the user is not accepted.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These new embodiments may be implemented in other various forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and modifications are included in the scope and gist of the present invention, and are also included in the invention described in the scope of claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

Claims

1. An electric vacuum cleaner, wherein,

the electric vacuum cleaner is provided with:

a motor;

a secondary battery that supplies power to the motor;

an operation unit that accepts an operation by a user;

a reporting section; and

a control unit that, during charging of the secondary battery, causes the notification unit to perform: a prescribed report for indicating that the user's operation is not accepted.

2. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1,

the electric vacuum cleaner further includes: an external connection terminal to which an external charging member is connected,

the control unit causes the notification unit to make the predetermined notification when the charging member is connected to the external connection terminal even if the secondary battery is not being charged.

3. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or 2,

the reporting section includes a light, and the light,

the regulation report includes: a situation where the lamp is lighted or blinked.

4. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 3,

the electric vacuum cleaner further includes: a grip part for a user to grip when using the electric vacuum cleaner,

the operating portion is disposed in a region adjacent to the grip portion,

the lamp is configured to: and a position on the opposite side of the operation portion from the holding portion.

5. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 3 or 4,

the lighting or blinking of the lamp as the predetermined report is the same as the lighting or blinking of the lamp when the following situation is reported, that is: when the user performs an invalid operation on the operation unit while using the electric vacuum cleaner, a report is made that the operation is an error.

6. The electric vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 3 to 5,

the light is lit or flashed in a color different from the hazardous color.

7. The electric vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 6,

the reporting unit is configured to: and a position which is not opposite to the charging seat when the electric dust collector is arranged on the charging seat.

8. The electric vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 7,

the report section includes: a 1 st lamp that emits light during charging of the secondary battery; and a 2 nd lamp which emits light when the prescribed report is made,

when the predetermined report is issued while the secondary battery is being charged, the control unit turns off the 1 st lamp during light emission and causes the 2 nd lamp to emit light.

9. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 8,

the reporting section has a window section that is,

both the 1 st lamp and the 2 nd lamp irradiate light to the outside of the electric vacuum cleaner through 1 window.

10. The electric vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 9,

the prescribed report is: sound, vibration, and a logo of the display screen.

11. The electric vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 10,

the report unit includes: a display screen for displaying the mark representing the operation key when the electric dust collector is used,

the regulation report includes: and changing the display screen identifier.

12. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 11,

when the electric vacuum cleaner is used, the display screen is marked in a 1 st mode showing the operation key, and the display screen is marked in a 2 nd mode hiding the operation key from the 1 st mode during charging of the secondary battery.